The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) has announced BR 71000 Duke of Gloucester as the first visiting locomotive for its Spring Steam Gala, running from 16 to 19 April. This year marks 50 years since the railway had its first ever Spring Gala, in May 1976.

The appearance of Duke of Gloucester is expected to be one of the major highlights of the event. The locomotive is unique as the only BR Class 8P express passenger engine ever built and is renowned for its remarkable survival against the odds after withdrawal and near-scrapping in the early 1960s.

Following the completion of its third major overhaul last year, 71000 visited the SVR in mid-2025 for a series of test and loaded running-in turns, ahead of a return to public service.

Built at Crewe Works in 1954, Duke of Gloucester was the final and most advanced expression of British Railways’ steam locomotive design, incorporating three cylinders and Caprotti valve gear. Intended as a prototype for a new generation of express engines, it instead became a one-off after the Government’s Modernisation Plan brought steam development to an abrupt end.

Withdrawn in 1962 and sold for scrap, the locomotive survived thanks to a determined preservation effort that saw it restored from an incomplete and deteriorated condition. Its eventual return to steam became one of the most significant achievements in the preservation movement and helped demonstrate what could be achieved with commitment and engineering expertise.

Following a 13-year overhaul at Tyseley Locomotive Works, Duke of Gloucester has now re-emerged incorporating refinements intended to deliver the performance originally envisaged by its designer.

Duke of Gloucester will appear alongside SVR home-fleet locomotives including GWR locos 813, 1450, 4150 (recently returned to steam), 4930 Hagley Hall, 7714, 7802 Bradley Manor, LMS 13268 and BR Standard 4MT 75069. More guest announcements are expected in the coming weeks.

Tickets, including money-saving multi-day rover tickets, are available at svr.co.uk